Contrasts of Japan
Visit HIROSHIMA, a city sadly known for the atomic bomb that fell on it in 1945 and which levelled the city. You will stroll around the Peace Memorial, the Dome of the bomb and you will visit the impressive Museum of Peace. Tour of 9 days visiting Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kawaguchiko, Iyashi no Sato, Nenba, Toyota, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Engyo-ji, Himeji, Okayama, Kurashiki, Hiroshima, Itsukushima, Hiroshima.
DAY 01 SAT. Tokyo arrival.-
Welcome to Japan! Transfer by coach (SHUTTLE BUS) to hotel. 18H30.- Meeting with guide. Late in the afternoon, we will pay a visit to this fascinating country by taking a trip on the metro (tickets included) to the Shinjuku district and see the crowds of people who use this modern and efficient collective transport system. Shinjuku is one of the most important nightlife districts. Dinner included and return to hotel by metro with our guide.
DAY 02 SUN. Tokyo. –
In the morning, we take part in a 5-hour trip with our guide to see this amazing city, with its hustle and bustle and extremely modern districts that coexist with quiet, peaceful areas. Brief stop at the Zojoji Temple to make a beautiful photograph of the Tokyo Tower. Pay attention to the hundred of Jizos, stone traditional protecting deities who guide us on our travels, give power to those who are weak (such children) and those in dangerous places, and who are dressed including hats, robes and windmills. Then we head to the junction of Shibuya, a junction that is said to be the most crowded in the world. The Meiji Temple is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji, his wife, and their spirits. We continue on our bus along the elegant street of Omotesando. We will edge the most beautiful part of the Imperial Palace and the gardens. Stop to visit the famous Nijubashi Bridge. We will pass through the district of Akihabara, the “electric town” with icons from the popular Japanese Manga and Anime culture and then see Kokugikan, the Sumo stadium, home of this Japanese sport. We will also visit the Buddhist temple of Sensoji, the oldest and most important temple in Tokyo, with its 55-metre high pagoda. Then we will have some free time to visit the traditional commercial street of Nakamise in the district of Asakusa. Lunch included in a local restaurant. Return to hotel. Free time in the afternoon. NOTE: During the Japanese Olympics, accommodation may be given near Narita airport.
DAY 03 MON. Tokyo – Mount Fuji – Kawaguchiko.-
We travel to the beautiful area of Monte Fuji, through pretty countryside on our way. First of all we see the ARAKURAYAMA SENGEN PARK, with its beautiful pagodas, and from here enjoy the best and most well-known views of Mount Fuji. After this we go on to KAWAGUCHIKO with its tiny houses, flowers and mountains, and its beautiful lake. On our arrival, we will visit the FUJI SENGEN SHRINE set in a magical site surrounded by tall trees, and the starting point of the traditional pilgrimage to the mountain. At the shrine, we will express our thanks for being able to visit this wonderful place. The visit also includes a delightful boat trip on Kawaguchiko Lake. After lunch, we start to ascend Mount Fuji on the road that takes us to the “fifth station”, surrounded by spectacular forests and views, to a height of 2,305 metres. Note: In winter, the route up to Mount Fuji is closed due to snow or other adverse weather conditions; during this season, we will ascend as far as the authorised point. Return to Kawaguchiko, with time to stroll near the lake. We will stay at a Ryokan (a traditional Japanese hotel), and have the chance to enjoy its ONSEN (public baths). Dinner included. (NB: In the planned Ryokan, some rooms are in Japanese style, with accommodation on tatamis, and others are in westernstyle. Accommodation may sometimes be in a western type hotel).
DAY 04 TUE. Kawaguchiko – Iyashi no Sato Nenba – Toyota – Kyoto.-
We are only 130km (81 miles) from KYOTO. In the morning, we continue along the pretty road bordered by lakes to IYASHI NO SATO NENBA, a tiny village destroyed by a typhoon in 1966 and later restored as a traditional open-air mountain village and museum. Its traditional houses have been transformed into arts and crafts shops, restaurants and traditional museums. We then have the opportunity to admire the SHIRAITO FALLS, considered one of the most attractive sites in Japan, with a waterfall height of 150 metres. We will then continue to NAGOYA, the third most important city of Japan, on the shores of the Pacific. Here we will visit the TOYOTA MUSEUM (admission included), a must-see for motor lovers. We continue to KYOTO, accomodation.
DAY 05 WED. Kyoto.-
We spend all day in the city that was the capital of Japan from the year 794 to 1868 and home to the Imperial Court. During World War II the city was the only major Japanese to escape the bombardments, and so it still preserves its wealth of artistic heritage; the famous protocol restricting greenhouse gas emissions was signed in Kyoto in 1997. We head for the outskirts of Kyoto to Arashiyama, where we cross the Togetsukyo Bridge (¨bridge over the moon¨), which has fantastic views. We will visit the Tenryuji temple, one of the ¨five major Zen temples of Kyoto¨ and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by a walk through its mystic bamboo forest. The visit includes a trip to one of the most important parts of the city. We will see the marvellous Shinto Shrine of Fushimi Inari, the Imperial Palace and Kinkakuji temple, “the golden pavilion” and its wonderful gardens. Free time before visiting GION, a busy traditional quarter famous for its Geisha. Free time.
DAY 06 THU. Kyoto – Nara – Osaka.-
We leave for NARA and visit Todaiji, a magnificent Buddhist temple built in 752, which has a giant Buddha and where passengers can take photos and touch and feed the deer that wander through the park. Lunch included. After the visit, we will see HORYUJI Buddhist temple, a World Heritage Site that includes a seminary, monasteries and temples. Its main pagoda temple is one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world and is the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan and an important place of worship. We continue to OSAKA, where we arrive in the evening. Accommodation in this modern city (Japan’s second city). We will visit Dotonbori, a colourful district filled with nightlife.
DAY 07 FRI. Osaka – Engyo-ji – Himeji- Okayama.-
We leave for Mount SHOSHA, and its ENGYO-JI complex of temples dating back more than 1,000 years, which was the place where the film “The last Samurai” was made. Cable car ride. After this we will see HIMEJI, where we will include entry to its immense complex that shows us the architecture of Japanese castles. Lunch included in a local restaurant. We go on to OKAYAMA, where we will visit Korakuen, one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan, with its lakes, waterfalls and traditional teahouses.
DAY 08 SAT. Okayama – Kurashiki – Hiroshima- Itsukushima – Hiroshima.-
We leave for KURASHIKI, a city with a very well preserved historical centre. Time for a stroll in this charming place with its atmosphere from the past. We continue on our way to HIROSHIMA, a city sadly known for the atomic bomb that fell on it in 1945 and which levelled the city. We will stroll around the Peace Memorial, the Dome of the bomb and we will visit the impressive Museum of Peace. After the war we will seek peace by embarking on a ferry to the island “where men and gods live together”, with the sanctuary of ITSUKUSHIMA dedicated to the guardian of the seas, built partially over the sea. Time to visit the temple, to stroll around its pretty centre and have lunch. Return to our hotel in Hiroshima. Dinner included. Note: The order of the visits in Hiroshima may vary without affecting their content.
DAY 09 SUN. Hiroshima.-
After breakfast, end of our services.
- Travel by bus with English speaking guide.
- Basic travel insurance.
- Breakfast buffet.
- Arrival transfer
- Boat: Kawaguchiko Lake.
- City tour in: Tokyo, Kyoto.
- Evening Transfer: Shinjuku in Tokyo, Traditional quarter of Gion in Kyoto, Dotonbori in Osaka.
- Ticket admission: Metro, Zojoji Temple, Meiji Temple, Sensoji Temple in Tokyo, Arakurayama Sengen Park in Mont Fuji, Fuji Sengen Shrine in Kawaguchiko, Village Museum in Iyashi No Sato Nenba, Toyota Museum, Tenryu-ji Temple, Arashiyama bamboo forest in Kyoto, Fushimi Inari, Imperial Palace, Kinkakuji Temple in Kyoto, Todai-ji Temple and Horyu-ji Temple in Nara.
- 4 Lunch or Dinner Included in: Tokyo (02), Kawaguchiko (01), Nara (01).
- Ticket admission: Engyio-ji Temple in Engyo-ji, Castle in Himeji, Korakuen Gardens in Okayama, Itsukushima Temple, Peace Museum in Hiroshima.
- Ferry: Hiroshima – Miyajima.
- Funicular: Mount Shosha in Engyo-ji.
- 2 Lunch or Dinner Included in: Himeji, Hiroshima.
2022
- Jun.22 : 04, 11, 18, 25
- Jul.22 : 02, 09, 16, 23, 30
- Aug.22 : 06, 13, 20, 27
- Sep.22 : 03, 10, 17, 24
- Oct.22 : 01, 08, 15, 22, 29
- Nov.22 : 05, 12, 19, 26
- Dec.22 : 03, 10, 17, 24, 31
2023
- Jan.23 : 07, 14, 21, 28
- Feb.23 : 04, 11, 18, 25
- Mar.23 : 04, 11, 18, 25
PRICES PER PERSON
SEASON DBL SINGL
High S. $2.715 $3.459
Mid S. $2.715 $3.459
Low S. $2.715 $3.459
- During the Japanese Olympics, accommodation may be given near Narita airport.
- In winter, the route up to Mount Fuji is closed due to snow or other adverse weather conditions; during this season, we will ascend as far as the authorised point.
- The order of the visits in Hiroshima may vary without affecting their content.
- The route will be bilingual with Spanish and Englishspeaking guides. On certain dates, depending on sales, the circuit will be divided into two with a bus in each language.
- It is a general policy in the hotels that may request a deposit of money on arrival at each of the hotels where you will be staying. This deposit is charged at the time of check in and is refunded upon departure if you did not make any expenses at the hotel.
- The space in the holds of the coaches and in the train wagons is limited and this determines the maximum amount of luggage authorized per passenger on our circuits: one suitcase per person and one handbag. Carrying more luggage than allowed can be checked in at destination.